Page 17 of All The Happily Ever Afters

STOLEN MISTLETOE KISSES

Stolen Mistletoe Kisses

VINNY

The brightly colored mouse face on the plastic phone in my hands stares back at me. I remember this toy, with its primary colors of red, yellow, and blue, and the loud noises the buttons make. I can’t pull the little phone out, but I know there’s a thin red cord that’s connected so little tykes can drag it along the floor. I huff a small laugh.

Same damn toy I had as a toddler, twenty-five years later.

Some things never change.

I set the box back on the shelf and look over to my left. This aisle in the toy store lines up with the door to the back room, which in turn leads to the manager’s office. That’s right where I need to go. I’m just waiting on the perfect moment to slip into the back and grab the spare key. The manager slipped out already; he clocked out early even though the store’s still open. I don’t blame him, since it’s dead. In this small town, everyone’s done their shopping early for Christmas.

The owner and him are the only two with the keys to the registers, but now they’re both gone and won’t be back till after Christmas, and I know the keys are back there somewhere.

The old lady behind me finally tosses something into her cart, making a small racket and a squeak. I turn to look overmy shoulder and watch as she pushes her cart away. I take the chance, looking to my right and left as I make my way to the “employees only” door and confidently open it.

As though I belong back here.

My heart’s racing, and adrenaline is pumping through my veins. This isn’t the first time I’ve done something like this. It’s been years since I’ve jacked a car or stolen anything. Back then I was a thief for hire. I’m not proud of it. But now I stay on the right side of the law. I peek into the break room and see it’s empty. Stockroom is next and there’s a girl bending at the waist digging in a box, muttering about how the color of the dress on the doll isn’t gonna matter. I keep walking until I find the door with the Manager’s Office plate on it.

Bingo.

I test the knob and it doesn’t budge. But that’s alright. I may be a reformed man, but I still remember how to pick a lock. I stare at the door for a moment, then look back to the storefront at the end of the hallway as I shove a bent paperclip in the lock.

This isn’t about stealing for me. It’s about doing the right thing. Maybe it’s the wrong way of going about it, but it’s the only way I know.

The lock clicks and I’m quick to open the door, walking in as swiftly and quietly as possible and shut it behind me with a soft lowsnick. My heart pounds, and I can hear the blood rushing in my ears.

I stalk to his desk and check there first. I need the keys to the register. I need that cash. I know this old toy shop doesn’t have a safe. All the money’s stored in the registers, and I need that fucking key.

It’s not on the desk. I open one drawer after another, sifting through all the paperwork and looking under the stapler and pens.

Where the fuck is it? I know he didn’t take it with him. He’s got the key to the entrance doors though and I wasn’t able to lift that like I would have liked. My eyes look up and hone in on something shining on the bookshelf filled with binders.

A smile crawls across my face.

The tiny key that’s been a pain in my ass the last week to get is hanging on a keychain, and I don’t hesitate to grab it. Finally. The last piece falls into place. I shove it in my pocket, knowing I’m one step closer to completing this task. Nothing’s going to stop me.

I put my ear to the door and listen for anyone coming. I don’t hear anything, so I open it slowly and peek out.

The chick who was digging in the box is walking toward the door leading out to the rest of the store with her back to me. She’s empty-handed and muttering to herself with her hands balled into little fists. She huffs a deep breath like she’s getting ready to go to war over this doll. I shut the door and wait a moment, listening for the telltale sound of the heavy door opening and then shutting.Click.

Once the coast is clear, I sneak another look and make sure.

No one’s there. My throat feels dry and my face is heated, knowing I need to make a clean getaway out of here and back into the store.

I lock the manager’s office door behind me and make a beeline for my escape. As soon as I’m back to the customer area, I feel a slight sense of relief. But I need to get the fuck out of here. One rule I always lived by back in the day, you never stick around to find out if someone saw you.

There’s no security in this place though. I know that for a fact.

If there were, I wouldn’t have to do this. They would’ve caught that bastard in the act, and it wouldn’t be left up to me to get justice.

I walk quickly toward the exit, through a few aisles of toy trucks and stacking blocks, but I stop before walking through the large automated glass doors.

Cary Ann’s standing at the register. Sweet Cary. The sight of her makes me stop before I can leave.

I’ve known her most of my life since we grew up together in this small town, but scoping this place out has made me see her in a new light. It’s been years since I reallylookedat her. And now I can’t stop. She’s not the little girl who’d fawn over me on the school sidewalks. She’s a woman now.

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